Cattle neck chain



June 20, 1961 R DRAHElM 2,989,030

CATTLE NECK CHAIN Filed Feb. 9, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORA/Eys.

Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 791,997 1 Claim. (Cl. 119-106) The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of safeguarding domestic animals, and it relates more specifically to an improved neck chain structure1 especially adapted for application to animals such as catt e.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, but very effective device for improving the safety and the utility of cattle neck chains.

It is common practice for cattle-men to apply neck chains bearing identifying tags to at least some of their herd, these chains merely comprising a series of rigid metal links forming a continuous and non-stretchable loop adapted to loosely embrace the animals neck. Wherever there are feed bunks, woods, fence posts, machinery, and the like, cattle will rub themselves so that if the animals are wearing the oridinary neck chains, some are sure to get caught on firm projections and to be strangled in their eifort to release the neck chains. Although many valuable animals have heretofore been accidentally killed in this manner, apparently nothing has been done to remedy the situation.

The present invention therefore contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive solution of the problem whereby a continuous neck chainformed of solid links can be readily converted into safe assemblages adapted to positively prevent such strangulation of cattle or the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved cattle neck chain which under normal conditions will not stretch, but which can be elongated under the application of abnormal pull suliiciently to enable the animal to lwithdraw its head from within the chain loop.

A further important object of this invention is to provide an improved article of manufacture consisting of a relatively stiff tension spring formed for convenient insertion between successive links of a cattle neck chain in order to permit the chain loop to expand upon the application of excessive pulling force upon the links and the intervening spring.

These and other more speciiic objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the features constituting the present improvement, and of the construction and operation of a typical cattle neck chain assemblage embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the Various views.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the head and neck portion of a bull wearing one of the present improved neck chain assemblages;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the improved safety springs constituting an element of the neck chain assembly shown -in FIG. 1, showing the spring collapsed as during normal use of the neck chain; and

FIG. 3 is a similarly enlarged side elevation of the same spring showing the same partially expanded by the at F Patented June 20, 1961 application of pulling forces applied toits opposite ends.

Referring to the drawing, the head 5 of the bull depioted therein is provided with the usual halter 6 for guiding and confining the animal, while the neck 7 of the animal is loosely embraced by one of the improved neck chain assemblages. This chain assemblage comprises a continuous loop loosely embracing the animals neck 7 but incapable of being removed over its englarged head 5, and which loop is formed of a series of rigid metal links 8l and a helical tension spring 9 having opposite end hooks 10 inserted through two successive or adjacent links 3 of the chain. The chain loop is provided at its lower portion with an identifying tag 11 or the like to complete the neck chain unit.

The tension spring 9 is of special construction with the successive helical turns normally in snug engagement with each other as in FIG. 2 and coated or plated with rust-proof material, and should preferably have a stretch resistant strength of at least ten pounds per inch and capable of stretching approximately three inches without set. However, in case of emergency'as when the neck chain becomes caught on an obstruction, the spring 9` should be capable of stretching out eighteen inches, or of breaking, so that the animal will not strangle.

It will thus be noted that the invention in fact provides a simple, inexpensive, but very eifective safety device for positively preventing injury to cattle by accidental catching of the neck chains on obstructions against which the animals rub their necks 7. The improved elongated resilient elements or springs 9 can be readily applied to new chains by the manufacturers, or to existing chains by merely removing a member or link 8 and inserting the spring end hooks 1i) within the adjacent separated links as in FIG. 1, and these springs 9 may also be of diverse shapes. In some cases where the identification tags 11 are disposed directly between successive chain links 8, the safety springs 9` may also be inserted between the tag 11 and an adjacent chain link 8. It is preferable however to have the spring turns normally remain in snug engagement with each other as in FIG. 2 in order to avoid annoying the animals by having hair pinched between these turns, and the improved devices have proven highly satisfactory and successful in actual use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction of the safety springs herein specifically shown and described, for at least some modications the scope of the appended claim may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

A cattle neck chain comprising, a series of rigid relatively articulable metal links forming a loosely fitting continuous neck engaging loop normally incapable of being slipped over the animals head, and a `helical tension spring interposed between and having opposite end hooks coacting with successive adjacent links of the series, said spring having at least ten pounds longitudinal stretch resistance and being formed to cause the successive helical turns thereof to normally snugly engage each other when no pull is being exerted upon the chain.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 792,677 Stowell June 20, 1905 1,456,706 Murray May 29, 1923 2,821,034 Baker Jan. 28, 1955 

